Compost & Recycling in New Orleans Guide

 

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GLASS RECYCLING IN NEW ORLEANS

Glass is INFINITELY RECYCLABLE! It can always be remade into new glass. But, it's HEAVY to ship. That's why so many manufacturers switched to plastic to begin with... it was cheaper, lighter, more durable.

Because glass is too heavy to send far away and there are no bottle factories near us in the South, there isn't full glass recycling here. But local nonprofit Glass Half Full accepts glass that is ground down and used for coastal restoration and other projects instead. 

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR GLASS

Option 1: Glass is NOT accepted for curbside recycling through the City of New Orleans. But you can drop it off at the City of New Orleans Recycling Center Drop Off at 2829 Elysian Fields on Saturdays, 8am - 1:00pm.

Limit: 50lbs. Be prepared to wait in line, have the drop off be randomly closed, or have this info change unexpectedly, as the city does whatever they want whenever they want, without notice or explanation. This is the most current info on the city's website at the time of this posting.

Option 2:  Glass Half Full offers free glass recycling drop-off locations around the city & home pickup service.

Please note that we do NOT accept glass for them at our shop location. You have to take it one of their locations.

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, you can drop off at 3935 Louisa Street, as well as other NEW drop-off locations around the city with varying open hours. They also offer a curbside pickup service from your house, for a monthly subscription fee.

Glass Half Full also accepts corks at their main location, and all manner of metal and hard plastic lids and caps.

Check drop off locations and hours here.

Option 3: NEW Weekly Residential or Commercial Recycling Collection Programs from Realcycle

Realcycle offers food waste, metal, cardboard, and glass residential or commercial pickups for a monthly fee. They also operate a drop off program at the Farmers' Market in City Park on Sundays. 

PLASTIC POLLUTION & RECYCLING PROBLEMS

Most people are (thankfully) becoming aware that our worldwide systems for handling recycling of plastics are broken... with estimates finding that at best only 9% of all plastic ever made has been recycled. And, more recently, that rate has dropped to only 5% in the U.S.-- and that's even if the plastic is clean, the right type, and actually sent to the recycling facility.

Even then, plastic can only be recycled 2 or 3 times before it begins to degrade.

Recycling plastic is NOT a long term sustainable option. 

Here at the shop, we believe the solution to this is to REDUCE the plastic you buy to begin with, REUSE it when you can, and REFILL your bottles with us... before ever relying on plastic recycling for more single-use bottles.

PLASTIC RECYCLING OPTIONS

Option 1: Check with Realcycle or Glass Half Full, as they have begun to accept a limited amount of plastic for recycling.

 

Option 2: Curbside recycling pickup in New Orleans.

Here in NOLA, only plastics #1 or #2 are 'recyclable.' If there's no number, it's NOT recyclable. If it is any number other than 1 or 2, it is NOT recyclable. However, please remember that less than 5% of these plastics are actually recycled so try to avoid them if at all possible instead of relying on recycling.

For area maps with your neighborhood's recycling day, see the City of New Orleans recycling page.  If you need a recycling bin, call 311. Be prepared for it to take a long time or not show up at all and keep calling. 

Important note: Do not put recycling into plastic bags inside your bin. Leave it loose. If it's in a bag or looks gross, they will not open or touch it.

 

Option 3: Drop off recyclables at the City of New Orleans Recycling Drop Off Center

Located at 2829 Elysian Fields Avenue on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm. For a complete list of items accepted at the recycling drop off center, see the link.

For non recyclable plastics #3-#7:

For hard plastic caps and lids, you can bring them to either Glass Half Full, mentioned above, or Nola Cans 4 Food, mentioned below.

Nola Cans 4 Food may also take plastic takeout containers with lids in good, clean condition for meal packaging, but check with them as they usually have an abundance and may not need more. (See their info below under the metal recycling section)

For other plastics 3-7, the best advice is to stop buying them as much as you possibly can. There is nowhere to recycle them locally. Replace single use plastics with reusables for items like straws, cutlery, takeout containers and plastic bags. Opt for fresher foods and less processed foods in plastic at the grocery store, rotate through new vegetables and fruits that aren't in plastic. Buy salads greens without plastic and wash them, rather than buying pre-washed greens in a plastic bag or box. Same thing with carrots.

Cut back where you can, and try not to worry about when you can't (medications, pet stuff, etc.). Progress over perfection-- every step helps!

Option 4: Various alternative recycling options for select household plastics, that we know of...

Black plastic plant & seed trays:

Bring back to your local garden store or community grower for reuse, or post in a local gardening group on Facebook or other buy-nothing free Facebook groups if you belong to one. For a while, Lowe's locations were accepting them in their garden centers as well but this never consistent so inquire at specific locations directly.

Terracycle programs for individual households.

Free Recycling Programs from Terracycle allow you to recycle a number of hard-to-recycle plastic containers, pouches and bags. These are sponsored by various brands and free to the public, though there may be a waitlist.

Paid Zero Waste Boxes from Terracycle for individual households. You can order zero waste boxes from Terracycle for a variety of recycling types such as cosmetics, just #5 plastics, school supplies & office materials, e-waste and more. Or a larger catch-all box that's more expensive to hold everything. 
This is what we use at our house for any #5 or soft food packaging we have like tofu wrappers. It is not cheap but one box will take us a few months to fill so we try to think of it as 0.50- $1.00 per day rather than dwell on the total amount. 

I hope to add some of these zero waste boxes to the shop later in the year, but working up to being able to cover the cost.

For bubble wrap, bubble mailers, and air filled bags:

Try posting for free on buy nothing or Facebook classifieds page, as small business owners and artists may be able to use upcycled materials for shipping. You can also check with local boutiques, furniture stores, and places that ship breakable items to see if they'll take it.

The Target located at 4500 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie has in the past accepted plastic bags, bubble wrap and small electronic devices measuring 3" or less. However, sometimes word of mouth is that it is not available or not to be trusted, so further follow up may be required.

If you DON'T live in New Orleans, check your city's sanitation website for guide lines. Nationwide, really only #1 and #2 plastics are functionally the 'easiest' recyclable, though some cities do accept #5.

Warning about plastic grocery & shopping bags:

Some grocery & hardware stores have advertised plastic bag drop offs in the past- I would not trust this. I have heard from numerous people who have witnessed these boxes being dumped straight into a dumpster.

The best thing to do is just not use plastic in the first place whenever you can possibly help it. Bring your own reusable bags when you shop-- not just the grocery store but everywhere! This is literally one of the easiest swaps to make. 

METAL RECYCLING IN NEW ORLEANS

Metal also has excellent recycle rates, especially aluminum and steel so don't dismiss the efficacy of diverting these materials from the landfill! 

Option 1: Donate cans to NOLA Cans 4 Food

Orleans Community Fridges. They do pickups and drop offs. Visit their website or Instagram page for more info on locations and times. 

They also accept hard plastic caps of all shapes and sizes, as well as clean takeout containers with lids in good condition.

Option 2: Check with Realcycle and Glass Half Full, who have also begun collective cans for Nola Cans 4 Food.

Option 3: Curbside recycling in New Orleans.

You can put steel & aluminum cans in your curbside recycling. NO other metals, no hangers, no bed frames, no nails, no razor blades, no weird sh*t. SERIOUSLY.

      Accepted:  soup/bean/fruit cans, soda cans, beer cans, condiment cans.

      Don't bother with aluminum foil, it's a different alloy than aluminum cans      
      and they would have to collect a whole bale full of it separately to recycle, so
      they usually throw it out at the sorting facility. Plus, it's rarely clean enough.

Option 4: City of New Orleans Recycling Center Drop Off at 2829 Elysian Fields on Saturdays, 8am - 1:00pm.

Same as above.

Option 5: You can also bring your metals to scrap metal recyclers:

New Orleans EMR Mid City (Southern Recycling) Scrap Metal at 2525 Lafitte Ave.: Accepts only aluminum and steel cans like those mentioned above

Uptown Recycling at 1320 S. Claiborne Ave: takes any metal. As quoted when I called: "If it's made of metal, bring it." I've brought old wire, random candle tins, perfume, spray cans, damaged pots and pans, foil, twisted ties, etc and they were all accepted at the times I've gone. If you're new to visiting this place though, I'd suggest bringing a friend along.

Or, leave your metal cans easily accessible in boxes or bags on your curb for scrappers to pick up. But don't litter and take them back inside if no one snags them. Don't put out on your garbage day so they're not thrown in the garbage truck.

Option 6: NEW Weekly Residential Recycling Collection from Realcycle

Realcycle offers food waste, metal, cardboard, and glass residential pickup for a monthly fee.

CARDBOARD & PAPER RECYCLING IN NEW ORLEANS

Option 1: Realcycle drop off or pickup

Option 2: Curbside recycling in New Orleans.

Items accepted are newspaper, junk mail, office paper, phone books, cardboard, boxes like from cereal, pasta, or soda/ beer box 12 packs.

NO cardboard containers with food or a "waxy" coating on them-- i.e. takeout containers or pizza boxes. There can be NO grease on the cardboard.

NO milk cartons, broth or juice cartons-- i.e. no Tetrapak boxes. These are not paper + wax-- they are several layers of plastic coating over paper.

Option 3: City of New Orleans Recycling Center Drop Off at 2829 Elysian Fields on Saturdays, 8am - 1:00pm.

Same as above. You can also bring shredded paper in a CLEAR bag.

Option 4: Compost

Compost much brown paper and cardboard as you can at home. Brown paper napkins & towels, soft brown compostable clamshell takeout containers, plain cardboard & paper. Brown paper from packages, toilet paper roll tubes, etc. 

If you do a compost drop-off service, check with them to see if they will accept these items in your compost. Some don't because they may be feeding food scraps to farm animals. 

Some local farms and larger compost sites may also accept cardboard for use.

Option 5: Newspaper Donation

Animal shelters will often accepted donated newspaper for lining in crates and litter boxes. Likewise, thrift stores like Bridge House and Red, White and Blue may take newspaper too. (Last time I was there, Bridge House also accepted plastic bags.)

E-WASTE, INK CARTRIDGE, BATTERY RECYCLING, LIGHTBULB, APPLIANCE RECYCLING

Option 1: Best Buy Drop Off Locations

Including Best Buy on Clearview in Metairie, or Best Buy on the Westbank, pretty much every type of small electronic device is accepted for recycling at Best Buy locations. Most of them are accepted free of charge, up to 3 per day. However, some very specific items require a small fee. See the full list at www.bestbuy.com/recycling.

They also appear to allow you to schedule home pick up of appliances for recycling. View more information at the link above. You can try to call the specific location but it will transfer you to a national number that redirects you to the website above, so the best bet is to just go to a location near you to inquire/ bring in person.

Option 2: Apple Trade In for Apple devices.

From Apple's website: "Apple Trade In lets you recycle any Apple device (including devices from Apple-owned brands) at any Apple Store and on apple.com for free. That includes your batteries and old electronic products. When Apple receive your device, it will be thoroughly inspected to determine if components can be recycled or reused. Whether recycled or reused, all activities relating to the processing of your device will be managed in an environmentally responsible way."

Option 3: City of New Orleans Recycling Center Drop Off at 2829 Elysian Fields on Saturdays, 8am - 1:00pm.

Items accepted: 

• E-Waste (computers, laptops, telephones/telephone systems, keyboards, speakers, telephone/computer cables, x-boxes, PlayStation, Wii, MP3/DVD/CD players, UPS, Circuit boards, Portable Navigation/GPS devices, ink jet/toner cartridges, digital cameras/video recorders (DVRs), fax machines, small printers, monitors, processors, networking equipment, stereos, security systems)
• Batteries (AA, AAA, AAAA, C, D, 6 & 9 volt, Lithium); Light bulbs (Incandescent and fluorescent)
• Televisions (Limit 4) 

Option 4: Lowe's & Home Depot

This seems to change on a regular basis so the best thing is to confirm the next time you go there. In the past they have accepted batteries and lightbulbs.

Option 5: Select Terracycle boxes

As noted above.

Option 6: Ink cartridge brand-specific recycling.

Most companies like Canon or HP have recycling options through their website.

Fedex: Fedex locations I called locally in New Orleans no longer take them as of July 11, 2023.

Office Depot: Located at 1429 St. Charles Avenue. Accepts any brand of ink cartridge, up to 10 per month. They recommend having an Office Depot rewards card to earn points for your drop offs.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE & CHEMICALS

Paint Recycling at The Green Project.

The Green Project accepts paint for recycling & resale. For more information on what is accepted and how it works, see their Paint Recycling Guide.

Other fertilizers, insecticides, cleaning supplies and miscellaneous chemicals are only accepted through the City of New Orleans Recycling Center Drop Off ONCE PER YEAR.

Household Hazardous Waste City Drop Off Day

If you aren't watching for it, you will miss it.  It's usually in the spring, in May and you need to check the city's website and instagram pages for the announcement. Be prepared to wait in line for this, and watch for updates on the city's website for the next date, under "Special Recycling Dates" 

For the 2023 drop off date, there actually was shockingly NO line, so it seems that they have much improved their systems and flow of traffic.

We try not to use anything toxic period but the rare things we have we keep in a leak-proof container outside under our house (we don't have a shed or garage) until that once-a-year collection day comes along.

COMPOSTING & RECYCLING FOR BUSINESSES & NONPROFITS

REALCYCLE

Realcycle aims to eliminate waste and reimagine resource management through 100% landfill free commercial recycling and composting. They will customize a weekly plan with your business specific to your needs. They accept aluminum, glass and cardboard for recycling, and they will pick up your food waste including: 

-Fruit scraps, Veggie scraps, Egg shells, Grains, Coffee Grounds, Coffee filters, Paper products, Bones

For more information visit their website or Instagram profile @restartrecycling

COMPOST SERVICES & GROUPS IN NEW ORLEANS FOR RESIDENTS

Option 1: Compost at Home

If you have the space and ability to do so, because you can add in other compostable items like paper, bamboo cotton swabs, cardboard, compostable sponges & wood brushes, yard waste etc. 

If you're composting at home, check out the Urban Farm Blog from Baby T Rex Farms for more tips!

If you're looking for worms, they recommend checking locally with Laughing Buddha Nursery or Uncle Jim's Worm Farm online. 

Option 2: Countertop Composters & Indoor Systems

If you do not have the ability to do an outdoor compost, you can look into counter-top composers such as Lomi, though they are not cheap and do require regular purchase of tablets (to balance the ph?) and charcoal to add to keep everything in balance. It will break down bioplastics but they say you should still dispose of them in your trash rather than put in your garden.

Option 3: Compost Drop Off Groups

If neither of the above are feasible, there are several excellent compost groups in the area that offer drop off and collection services. Visit their websites to see how each one works, what is collected, and when/how. Some offer home pick up and others don't.

Some may be able to take compostable non-food items but be sure to check first! You don't want any farm animals to accidentally swallow the remnants of a bamboo toothbrush.

Compost Now
OG Compost
Schmelly's Dirt Farm
The Composting Network
Realcycle

Also other local farms & gardens such as Recirculating Farms and Galvez Gardens.

Several local coffee shops also compost and may allow drop off to their locations. Check with them before you go for availability: Church Alley Coffee, Cherry Coffee, and Hey Coffee near the Greenway.

TEXTILES, FABRICS, CLOTHING 

Athletic Wear

Lululemon accepts gently used lululemon gear you're no longer using through their Trade In program. Bring it to a participating store and you'll receive an e-gift card for eligible items you can use in-store and at lululemon.com.

You can also shop from the Like New online resale shop to get secondhand discounted items in great condition

Patagonia has a host of repair videos and resources on their website that help you repair and continue to reuse your gear and clothing. However, should any items you purchase from Patagonia be beyond repair or reuse, they can be sent back for recycling at their service center. 

Bedding, sheets, towels

Accepted for use by most animal shelters. However, they may not accept comforters/ items with stuffing that could be chewed open and swallowed.

Bra Recycling

The Bra Recyclers is a clothing recycling social enterprise, specializing in the reuse of new and pre-loved bras. Learn more about sending in your bras for recycling and reuse here. 

Other brands such as Harper Wilde also take back used bras (of any brand) for recycling when you purchase new ones.

A quick Google search also indicates there are a number of other organizations to look into as well.

Fabric and sewing materials/ notions 

ricRACK in New Orleans is a textile recycling nonprofit that accepts fabric and sewing materials/ notions donations, clothing donations (inquire to see what's accepted), and offers adult & kids sewing lessons and other programming. They also have special collection events where they accept textiles no longer suitable for reuse.

Jeans

In any condition are accepted at any Levi's Store or at Madewell in Lakeside Mall

T-shirts

Accepted by Marine Layer on Magazine Street. They also accept Mardi Gras krewe costumes for collection to give to Epiphany Throws to be upcycled into Mardi Gras throws.

Donating to Thrift Stores and Goodwill

For usable/ wearable items with life left in them consider the following options BEFORE donating to a thrift store: 

• Host a clothing swap with friends
• Post on Facebook's Tulane classifieds or other buy-nothing group
• Reach out to your local school or church group to see if they have any initiatives in place

Remember that thrift stores like Goodwill did not begin with an environmentally focused mission. What they cannot sell might get shipped overseas or thrown in a dumpster. Make sure that donated items are in good condition free from stains and major damage.

For clothes in good condition and on trend, you can also always try consignment stores like Swap Boutique, or selling at Buffalo Exchange before donating or list them on secondhand clothing sites such as Poshmark, Ebay, Depop, or Mercari.

thredUp. For gently used items that can be sold, you can also send them in to thredUp. What they cannot sell is either donated or responsibly sent to textile recycling. Beware that the fees are high so you won't get much money for your clothing but they seem to be transparent and accountable when it comes to recycling and responsibly donating what they can't sell.

Terracycle boxes as mentioned above typically accept textiles for recycling in the paid boxes.